Finding a wedding photographer whose work you love is only one part of the decision. The person behind the camera will spend more time alongside you on your wedding day than almost anyone else, so kindness, trust and the ability to put people at ease matter just as much as beautiful photographs.
London wedding photographer Hannah Larkin brings all of those qualities to her work. After more than a decade photographing weddings across the UK, she has become known for honest, story-led photography and for creating an environment where couples can relax enough to simply enjoy their day.
Hannah’s background in psychology has given her an instinctive understanding of people, helping her recognise nerves before they become overwhelming and gently guiding couples who might otherwise worry about being photographed.
Whether she’s documenting a multicultural celebration, an intimate elopement or a lively family wedding, Hannah approaches every couple with curiosity, empathy and genuine care.
She photographs a limited number of weddings each year so she has time to get to know the people she works with, understand what matters most to them and create photographs that reflect their relationships, personalities and the moments that might otherwise pass unnoticed.
Hannah Larkin
I’m a listener, an observer, a traveller and psychologist. I love to understand people, to find out what matters to them and what makes them tick. I care about getting to know my clients and feel lucky that many become friends. I’m often told how calming I am, and helping you relax is important to me as it allows me to capture authentic moments when you’re truly yourself. I look for small, secret signs of love – a glance, a gesture – and personal touches that tell your story and show what makes you unique.
I’ve had the pleasure of sitting down with Hannah for a conversation about her work and am delighted to share some of that conversation with you today. We talk about how psychology has shaped the way she works, why storytelling matters more to her than perfect poses and why she believes choosing the right photographer is as much about human connection as photography itself.
If you’re looking for a photographer who will put you at ease, embrace weddings of every culture, faith and identity and create thoughtful, natural photographs that tell the story of your day, I’d encourage you to spend a little time getting to know Hannah.
What do you LOVE MOST about photographing weddings?
Weddings are such special days – I love the emotions, the different ways that couples personalise their celebrations and I adore creating a visual story of their day that I know will be treasured for generations to come.
What tends to MATTER MOST to you on a wedding day?
The most important thing for me is that the couple feels relaxed and happy. I dedicate time to get to know my couples before their wedding, so that I can help them to relax – both so they can thoroughly enjoy their day and so their wedding photos are gorgeously natural.
If a couple feel awkward or nervous in front of the camera, how do you help them FEEL more like themselves?
It’s actually really rare to have a couple where they both feel super confident in front of the camera. I include an engagement shoot in my wedding photography packages so we have a chance to get to know each other in advance of the wedding, they get used to being in front of my camera and I can learn what gentle cues can best help them to be their true selves.
My top tip is always to breathe – it’s amazing how many people hold their breath when you take their photo! Taking a breath instantly relaxes you and you can see this in the images – you are visibly more relaxed and look more natural.
You have a background in PSYCHOLOGY, how does that shape the way you work with people?
My psychology skills shape how I work with couples – I’m attuned to how they are feeling and able to find ways to help them relax. I’m good at listening to what is important and able to calm any nerves on the day.
I think it also helps me to really notice and capture all those small signs of emotions – little glances, a hand squeeze and moments of connection.
You’ve photographed such a wide and DIVERSE range of ceremonies and cultures. What have those experiences taught you?
Having had a multicultural wedding myself, ceremonies that combine elements of different cultures always have a special place in my heart.
I’ve found that sometimes multicultural or interfaith weddings end up being the most personal ceremonies as the couple have to choose which elements are most important to them.
I’ve been photographing weddings for over a decade and I love learning about different wedding traditions – beautiful sung blessings in Jewish weddings, the symbolism of the fire in Hindu ceremonies, the way family members are shown respect in Chinese tea ceremonies, the sound of an organ in church weddings.
But I’ve also seen how people can break traditions to focus on what is important to them – choosing to have their Muslim ceremony at home, inviting their dog to be their ring bearer, having flower men scattering the aisle with petals or choosing a totally bespoke celebrant-led ceremony outdoors.
You often say you’re not the photographer for everyone. Who are the couples you feel really AT HOME with?
I’m happiest when I’m working with couples who care about their wedding photos, who are making thoughtful choices about their wedding and want the day to really feel like them.
Whether that’s an elopement with photos in places that mean something special, or a multi-day wedding celebration full of the people, music and food they love – it’s those personal weddings that have been planned intentionally that I feel really at home with.
Why is it important to you to take on a LIMITED number of weddings each year?
I take on only a limited number of weddings each year as I dedicate time to get to know my couples and understand what matters to them so I can capture the most meaningful memories. I spend time talking with them and help them plan a timeline so that everything runs smoothly on the day.
When I arrive in the morning, I’m a friend not a stranger. Couples can trust me, relax and just completely enjoy their day. I also spend time after the wedding hand-editing their images, curating a visual story of their wedding day and designing the perfect printed wedding album – an heirloom to be treasured.
You don’t just shoot weddings, you’re passionate about capturing NEWBORNS and FAMILIES too. Tell us more…
As a storytelling photographer, I create images that tell a story. And that’s not just for weddings, but also for families.
Sometimes people think that they need a photographer who only shoots weddings, but choosing a wedding photographer who also regularly photographs families brings unique advantages – particularly in storytelling photography.
Weddings are about relationships, connections and different generations coming together – and my approach to weddings is deeply informed by the same storytelling and quietly observational style I use in my family photography.
Photographing families requires me to be tuned into and able to capture genuine interactions, emotional moments of connection as they happen and small details that tell the story of their relationships. It means I’m used to working quickly to find the most beautiful natural light in whatever space we’re in. I get to know people, learn what’s most important to them and find ways to capture them so they can be treasured. I understand how to make people of all ages (and pets!) feel relaxed and comfortable in front of my camera, so my images are truly natural and authentic.
These strengths directly benefit my wedding couples. They mean that everyone from the newborn with your best friend, your great grandma, your teenage nephew, to your ring bearer dog, are photographed in a way that captures their spirit and their relationship with you. This creates a real emotional quality to your images and wedding story.
And of course beyond your wedding, I love to continue documenting your family’s journey, creating a consistent visual story that grows with you over the years.
If someone is reading this and wondering whether you’re the RIGHT photographer for them, what would you love them to know?
I might be! You spend a lot of time with your photographer on your wedding day – so it’s worth taking the time to find the photographer who is the right fit.
If you’re looking for someone to tell the story of your wedding, with a relaxed and natural style – focusing on capturing the emotions of the day as it happens – send me a message and let’s talk!
Connect with Hannah Larkin
Email Hannah on [email protected]
Follow Unbridled Studio on Instagram at @hannahlarkinphotography
